Oral care implement and handle and refill head thereof

ABSTRACT

An oral care implement handle or a refill head therefor. The oral care implement handle may include a gripping portion and a stem protruding from a shoulder of the gripping portion. The stem may include a post located at a distal end of the stem. The post may have a non-circular transverse profile. More specifically, the post may include a hub portion and a protuberance that either protrudes radially from a side surface of the hub portion, protrudes upward from the shoulder of the gripping portion, or both. The refill head may include a sleeve having an inner surface that defines an internal cavity. The internal cavity may include a central portion and at least one slot portion extending radially from the central portion. Thus, the internal cavity of the sleeve portion may have a profile configured to receive the stem of the oral care implement handle.

BACKGROUND

Myriad implements and devices for maintaining oral health are known. Forexample, toothbrushes of both the manual and powered variety, floss,dentifrices, applicators, agents, and the like are all known to providedifferent benefits in the oral cavity. For oral care implements thatinclude a handle and one or more replaceable oral care devices that canbe repetitively coupled to and detached from the handle, there is a needto design a coupling or locking mechanism to ensure that the replaceableoral care device remains securely coupled to the handle during use.Furthermore, devices of this type may also include alignment features toensure that the replaceable oral care device and handle are acceptablyaligned during coupling. There remains a need for improvement in all ofthe aforementioned areas with regard to oral care implements including aneed for a proprietary oral care implement handle to refill headconnection mechanism.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to an oral care implement handle or arefill head therefor. The oral care implement handle may include agripping portion and a stem protruding from a shoulder of the grippingportion. The stem may include a post located at a distal end of thestem. The post may have a non-circular transverse profile. Morespecifically, the post may include a hub portion and a protuberance. Theprotuberance may protrude radially from a side surface of the hubportion, upward from the shoulder of the gripping portion, or both. Therefill head may include a sleeve having an inner surface that defines aninternal cavity for receiving the stem of the handle. The internalcavity may include a distal section having a central portion and atleast one slot portion extending radially from the central portion.Thus, the internal cavity of the sleeve portion may have a profileconfigured to receive the stem of the oral care implement handleincluding the non-circular post thereof.

In one aspect, the invention may be an oral care implement handlecomprising: a gripping portion extending from a proximal end to a distalend; a stem comprising an attachment portion protruding from a firsttransverse shoulder at the distal end of the gripping portion, the stemextending along a stem axis and configured to be detachably coupled to areplaceable oral care device, the attachment portion of the stemcomprising: a second transverse shoulder axially spaced from the firsttransverse shoulder; and a post protruding from the second transverseshoulder, the post terminating in a closed distal end that forms a freeend of the attachment portion of the stem, the post comprising a hubportion extending along the stem axis and at least one protuberanceprotruding either (1) radially from a side surface of the hub portion;and/or (2) upward from the second transverse shoulder; and a vibrationgenerating device.

In another aspect, the invention may be an oral care implement handlecomprising: a gripping portion extending from a proximal end to a distalend; a stem comprising an attachment portion protruding from the distalend of the gripping portion, the stem extending along a stem axis andconfigured to be detachably coupled to a replaceable oral care device,the attachment portion of the stem comprising a post terminating in aclosed distal end that forms a free end of the attachment portion of thestem, the closed distal end of the post having a non-circular transverseprofile.

In yet another aspect, the invention may be an oral care refill headcomprising: a sleeve portion extending from a proximal end to a distalend, the sleeve portion comprising: an inner surface that defines aninternal cavity; the internal cavity extending along a sleeve axis froman open bottom end at the proximal end of the sleeve portion and aclosed top end, the internal cavity configured to receive an attachmentportion of a stem of an oral care implement handle; the internal cavitycomprising a proximal section adjacent the open bottom end and a distalsection adjacent the closed top end; and the distal section of theinternal cavity comprising a central portion located on the sleeve axisand at least one slot portion radially extending from the centralportion.

In still another aspect, the invention may be an oral care refill headcomprising: a sleeve portion extending from a proximal end to a distalend, the sleeve portion comprising: an inner surface that defines aninternal cavity that extends along an axis, the internal cavityconfigured to receive an attachment portion of a stem of an oral careimplement handle; and wherein a transverse cross-section of the internalcavity comprises a central portion and a plurality of slot portionsradially extending from the central portion, the plurality of slotportions being circumferentially equi-spaced from one another.

In a further aspect, the invention may be an oral care implementcomprising: a handle comprising: a gripping portion extending from aproximal end to a distal end, the distal end of the gripping portionforming a first transverse shoulder; a stem extending along a stem axisand comprising an attachment portion protruding from the firsttransverse shoulder that houses a vibration generating device, theattachment portion comprising: a second transverse shoulder axiallyspaced from the first transverse shoulder; and a post protruding fromthe second transverse shoulder, the post terminating in a closed distalend that forms a free end of the attachment portion of the stem, thepost comprising a hub portion extending along the stem axis and at leastone protuberance protruding either (1) radially from a side surface ofthe hub portion; and/or (2) upward from the second transverse shoulder,the at least one protuberance terminating in a side terminal surface; arefill head comprising: a sleeve portion extending from a proximal endto a distal end, the sleeve portion comprising an inner surface thatdefines an internal cavity; and

wherein the refill head is detachably coupled to the stem of the handlesuch that the attachment portion of the handle is located within theinternal cavity of the sleeve portion of the refill head and the sideterminal surface of the at least one protuberance is in surface contactwith the inner surface of the sleeve portion.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an oral care implement having arefill head and a handle in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the oral care implement of FIG. 1illustrating the refill head detached from a handle;

FIG. 3 is an exploded front perspective view of the oral care implementof FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 if a front view of a stem of the handle of the oral careimplement of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the stem of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the refill head of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X of FIG. 1 inaccordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention,its application, or uses.

The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles ofthe present invention is intended to be read in connection with theaccompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entirewritten description. In the description of embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merelyintended for convenience of description and is not intended in any wayto limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as“lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,”“down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g.,“horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed torefer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawingunder discussion. These relative terms are for convenience ofdescription only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed oroperated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated assuch. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,”“interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structuresare secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectlythrough intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigidattachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated byreference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the inventionexpressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodimentsillustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that mayexist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of theinvention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each andevery value that is within the range. Any value within the range can beselected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references citedherein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. In theevent of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and thatof a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3 concurrently, an oral care implement 1000 isillustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.The oral care implement 1000 generally comprises a handle 100 and arefill head 200. The refill head 200 is detachably coupled to the handle100. Thus, the refill head 200 may be repetitively coupled to anddetached from the handle 100 as desired. This enables the handle 100 tobe kept and reused while the refill head 200 is replaced with a newrefill head when the cleaning elements of the refill head 200 becomeworn. This is desirable because often the handle contains or otherwisehouses the expensive electronic components of an oral care implement andthe handle usually long outlasts the tooth cleaning elements. Thus, bypermitting the refill head 200 to be detached from the handle 100 andreplaced with another refill head, the same handle can be used withdifferent refill heads 200, thereby prolonging the life of the oral careimplement 1000.

In the exemplified embodiment, the oral care implement 1000 is a poweredor electric toothbrush (including a vibration generating device thatmoves a bristle holder or vibrates the head or portions thereof). Ofcourse, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and inother embodiments the oral care implement 1000 may be a manualtoothbrush, a tongue scraper, a gum and soft tissue cleanser, a waterpick, an interdental device, a tooth polisher, a specially designedansate implement having tooth engaging elements, or any other type ofimplement that is commonly used for oral care.

The handle 100 extends along a longitudinal axis A-A and comprises agripping portion 110 extending from a proximal end 111 to a distal end112 and a stem 120 that extends or protrudes from the distal end 112 ofthe gripping portion 110. The distal end 112 of the gripping portion 110forms a first transverse shoulder 114 of the stem 120. In theexemplified embodiment, the stem 120 is not directly attached to thegripping portion 110, but rather it extends through an opening 139 inthe distal end 112 of the gripping portion 110. Thus, stating that thestem 120 extends from the distal end 112 of the gripping portion 110does not require a direct coupling between the stem 120 and the distalend 112 of the gripping portion 110, but merely requires that the stem120 extends in the longitudinal direction A-A beyond the distal end 112of the gripping portion 110. Of course, the stem 120 may be directlycoupled to and extend directly from the distal end 112 of the grippingportion 110 in some embodiments. The first transverse shoulder 114circumferentially surrounds the stem 120 as it protrudes form the distalend 112 of the gripping portion 110.

In the exemplified embodiment, the gripping portion 110 of the handle100 comprises an actuator 113 on its outer surface that enables a userto power the oral care implement 1000 on and off. In the exemplifiedembodiment, the actuator 113 is located on a front surface of thegripping portion 110 of the handle 100. The actuator 113, whendepressed, engages a switch that powers a motor 160 of the oral careimplement 1000 and causes the motor 160, via its coupling to aneccentric 161, to create vibrations that enhance a user's cleaningexperience. Thus, the actuator 113 is configured to activate anddeactivate a vibration generating device 199 (which may comprise themotor 160, the eccentric 161, and a power source) that is housed withinthe handle 100, as described more fully below. The details of theseelectronic components will be described more fully herein below.

The refill head 200 comprises a sleeve portion 210 and a head portion220. The sleeve portion 210 is the portion that fits over the stem 120of the handle 100 to couple the refill head 200 to the handle 100. Thehead portion 220 has a plurality of tooth cleaning elements 215extending therefrom for cleaning a user's oral cavity such as the teethand gums. Additional details of the refill head 200 will be providedbelow with reference to FIGS. 6-8.

In the exemplified embodiment, the gripping portion 110 of the handle100 comprises a first part 130 and a second part 131 that are detachablycoupled together. The first and second parts 130, 131 may be detachablycoupled together via mating screw threads, interference fit,boss/detent, or the like. Of course, it is possible in other embodimentsfor the gripping portion 110 to be formed from a single unitarycomponent. However, the two-part gripping portion 110 may make it easierto assemble the various components of the oral care implement 1000together. When coupled together, the first and second parts 130, 131collectively define a handle cavity 134. An O-ring 138 (or other type ofgasket) may be provided between the first and second parts 130, 131 ofthe gripping portion 110 to seal the interface of the first and secondparts 130, 131 so that water and other fluids cannot pass into thehandle cavity 134 during use of the oral care implement 1000 orotherwise.

An electronics component 150 is housed within the handle cavity 134. Theelectronics component 150 comprises a circuit board 155 comprising theelectronic circuitry necessary for proper operation of the oral careimplement 1000, including processor(s), memory device(s), switch(es)157, resistors, capacitors, and the like. The electronics component 150also comprises a chassis 156 that holds a power source 151, which isshown as a battery exploded away from the electronics component 150 inFIG. 3. Of course, more than one battery may be used. In the exemplifiedembodiment, the circuit board 155 is coupled to one side of the chassis156 and the batteries are housed within a compartment located on theopposite side of the chassis 156. Of course, other arrangements arepossible in other embodiments. Generally, the electronics component 150is configured to be coupled to the motor 160 to control operation of themotor 160 such that when the switch 157 is on the motor 160 is operatingand when the switch 157 is off the motor 160 is not operating. On/off ofthe switch 157 may be controlled via actuation of the actuator 113.

A gasket 165 is provided at the junction of the stem 120 and thegripping portion 110 to prevent the ingress of liquids at the locationof the junction of those two components. The gasket 165 is coupled tothe stem 120 so as to surround a portion of a lower portion 121 of thestem 120. Furthermore, the gasket 165 presses against the inner surfaceof the second component 131 of the gripping portion 110 to maintain thestem 120 in position without the stem 120 falling into the handle cavity134. A portion of the gasket 165 may be visible when the handle 100 isfully assembled with the refill head 200 detached therefrom, as bestillustrated in FIG. 2. The interaction of the gasket 165 with the stem120 and the gripping portion 110 is best shown in FIG. 9. A secondgasket 178 may be coupled to another portion of the lower portion 121 ofthe stem 120 and collectively the gasket 165 and the second gasket 178operate to prevent the ingress of fluids. Of course, one or both of thegasket 165 and the second gasket 178 may be omitted in alternativeembodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 9, the stem 120 comprises an inner surface 123that defines an inner cavity 122 that houses the motor 160, theeccentric 161, a coupling member 162 that couples the motor 160 to theeccentric 161, and a shaft 190. The motor 160, the eccentric 161, andthe power source 151 (or various other combinations of the componentshoused within the stem 120) may be referred to herein collectively asthe vibration generating device 199 because these components are coupledtogether and operate collectively to impart vibrations to the headportion 220 and the tooth cleaning elements 215 of the refill head 200.The motor 160 is electrically coupled to the electronics component 150and the power source 151 via conductive wires 163 to control operationof the motor 160. When the motor 160 is activated, the eccentric 161 iscaused to rotate due to its coupling to the motor 160. Due to theoff-center rotation of the eccentric 161 relative to a central axis ofthe motor 160, rotation of the eccentric 161 imparts vibrations to thehead portion 220 of the refill head 200.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 4, 5, and 9 concurrently, the stem 120 of thehandle 100 will be further described. The stem 120 extends along a stemaxis B-B and is configured to be detachably coupled to the refill head200 (or, more generically, to a replaceable oral care device as it neednot be limited to being configured for coupling to the refill head 200described herein specifically). Thus, the stem 120 can in actuality becoupled to any replaceable oral care device that is capable of receivingthe stem 120 therein and being locked thereto, at least in a temporarysense, such that the oral care device remains coupled to the stem 120during use of the oral care implement 1000.

The stem 120 comprises the lower portion 121 and an attachment portion140. When the handle 100 is fully assembled, the lower portion 121 ofthe stem 120 is located within the cavity 134 of the gripping portion110 and the attachment portion 140 of the stem 120 protrudes from thefirst transverse shoulder 114 at the distal end 112 of the grippingportion 110. As described more fully below, the refill head 200 receivesthe attachment portion 140 of the stem 120 when coupled thereto. As seenin FIG. 9, a portion of the lower portion 121 of the stem 120 issurrounded by the gasket 165 and the gasket 165 terminates at the firsttransverse shoulder 114 whereas the attachment portion 140 of the stem120 extends beyond the first transverse shoulder 114.

The attachment portion 140 of the stem 120 comprises a base portion 141and a post 142. The base portion 141 protrudes from the first transverseshoulder 114 and terminates in a distal surface 143 that forms a secondtransverse shoulder 144 of the stem 120. The second transverse shoulder144, which is formed by the distal end 143 of the base portion 141 ofthe attachment portion 140 of the stem 120, is axially spaced apart fromthe first transverse shoulder 114, which is formed by the distal end 112of the gripping portion 110 of the handle 100. The post 142 protrudesfrom the second transverse shoulder 144 and terminates in a closeddistal end 145 that forms a free end of the attachment portion 140 ofthe stem 120. In the exemplified embodiment, the closed distal end 145of the post 142 comprises a depression 149 that is located on or alignedwith the stem axis B-B.

In the exemplified embodiment, the stem 120 is an integrally formedstructure that includes the lower portion 121 and the attachment portion140 (with the attachment portion 140 comprising the base portion 141 andthe post 142). Thus, the stem 120 may be a monolithic component formedfrom a rigid material, such as plastic or the like. In some embodimentsthe stem 120 is formed via injection molding, although thismanufacturing technique is not required in all embodiments.

The base portion 141 comprises a locking feature 146 configured to matewith a locking feature of the refill head 200. In the exemplifiedembodiment, the locking feature 146 is a protuberance or boss thatprotrudes from an outer surface 147 of the base portion 141 and it isreceived within a recess, notch, or slot of the refill head 200.Furthermore, in the exemplified embodiment the base portion 141 alsocomprises one or more alignment protuberances 148 protruding from theouter surface 147 of the base portion 141. The size, shape, structure,depth, thickness, length, or the like of the locking feature 146 and/orthe alignment protuberances 148 are not intended to be limiting of thepresent invention in all embodiments. Thus, various locking features 146and alignment protuberances 148 may be used on the base portion 141 toensure proper alignment between the refill head 200 and the handle 100and to facilitate locking of the refill head 200 to the handle 100.

As noted above, the post 142 protrudes from the second transverseshoulder 144 at the distal end 143 of the base portion 141 of the stem120 and terminates at the closed distal end 145. The post 142 has asmaller diameter (or maximum width measured transverse to the stem axisB-B) than the second transverse shoulder 144, and thus a portion of thesecond transverse shoulder 144 is exposed between an outermostsurface/edge of the post 142 and an outer edge 177 of the secondtransverse shoulder 144. As best seen in FIG. 5, in the exemplifiedembodiment the closed distal end 145 of the post 142 of the stem 120 hasa non-circular transverse profile. More specifically, in the exemplifiedembodiment the transverse profile of the closed distal end 145 of thepost 142 is not circular, but rather it has a very specific shape toensure that only a refill head having a similar shaped inner cavity canreceive the stem 120, and more specifically the post 142 of the stem120, therein.

In the exemplified embodiment, the post 142 comprises a hub portion 171extending along the stem axis B-B and at least one protuberance 172 thatextends from the hub portion 171. Specifically, the hub portion 171 hasan outer surface (or a side surface) 173 and the at least oneprotuberance 172 extends radially from the outer surface 173 of the hubportion 171. The outer surface 173 of the hub portion 171 is the exposedportion of the hub portion 171 that extends between the secondtransverse shoulder 144 and the closed distal end 145 of the post 142.Of course, the invention is not to be so limited and it is also possiblethat the at least one protuberance 172 could protrude upwardly from thesecond transverse shoulder 144 of the stem 120 rather than protrudingradially from the outer surface 173 of the hub portion 171. Thus, insuch an embodiment the at least one protuberance 172 could be spacedapart from the outer surface 173 of the hub portion 171 and thus couldextend from the second transverse shoulder 144 alongside of the hubportion 171. However, in the exemplified embodiment the at least oneprotuberance 172 protrudes both radially from the outer surface 173 ofthe hub portion 171 and upwardly from the second transverse shoulder144. Thus, the at least one protuberance 172 is connected directly toboth the hub portion 171 and the second transverse shoulder 144,although this is not required in all embodiments.

In the exemplified embodiment, the hub portion 171 has a circularcross-sectional shape. Furthermore, in the exemplified embodiment eachof the protuberances 172 is a rib that protrudes radially from the outersurface 173 of the hub portion 171 and upward from the second transverseshoulder 114. In the exemplified embodiment, each of the protuberances172 extends linearly from the hub portion 171 to a side terminal surface176 thereof and thus the lateral side surfaces of the protuberances 172that extend between the hub portion 171 and the side terminal surface176 are linear. However, in other embodiments the protuberances 172 mayinstead be wavy or otherwise non-linear. In the exemplified embodiment,the portions of the outer surface 173 of the hub portion 171 locatedbetween the adjacent ones of the protuberances 172 are arcuate and morespecifically convex. The protuberances 172 are elongated in a directionof the stem axis B-B, meaning that the protuberances 172 have a heightmeasured in the direction of the stem axis B-B that is greater than awidth of the protuberances 172 measured in a direction transverse to thestem axis B-B from the outer surface 173 of the hub portion 171 to theside terminal surface 176 of the protuberance

In the exemplified embodiment, there are a plurality (i.e., three) ofthe protuberances 172 extending radially from the hub portion 171 in aspaced apart manner. Of course, more or less than three of theprotuberances 172 may be used in other embodiments. In the exemplifiedembodiment, the protuberances 172 are circumferentially arranged aboutthe hub portion 171 in a spaced apart manner relative to one another.Thus, portions of the outer surface 173 of the hub portion 171 that arelocated between the protuberances 172 are exposed. Although not requiredin all embodiments, in the exemplified embodiment the plurality ofprotuberances 172 are arranged in an equi-spaced manner relative to oneanother. Thus, in the exemplified embodiment because there are three ofthe protuberances 172, they are spaced apart by approximately 120°. Inthe exemplified embodiment, no two protuberances 172 are located 180°apart from one another. In certain embodiments, the circumferentialdistance between any two of the protuberances 172 is less than 150°,more specifically less than 140°, more specifically less than 130°, andstill more specifically 120° or less. Thus, there is no plane thatcomprises the stem axis B-B that intersects the side terminal surfaces176 of two or the protuberances 172.

As best seen in FIG. 2, in the exemplified embodiment at least one ofthe protuberances 172 faces the same direction as the actuator 113.Thus, the actuator 113 is located on the front surface of the grippingportion 110 of the handle 100 and at least one of the protuberances 172extends from the hub portion 171 in the direction of the front surfaceof the gripping portion 110. Of course, the various protuberances 172could be positioned at any circumferential location along the hubportion 171 in other embodiments such that each of the protuberances 172may be located at any desired position along the hub portion 171.

As noted above, in certain embodiments the closed distal end 145 of thepost 142 comprises a non-circular transverse profile. In that regard,the hub portion 171 of the post 142 forms a circular central region ofthe post 142 and each of one or more protuberances 172 forms an armregion of the post 142 that extends radially outward from the circularcentral region. It is this combination of the circular central regionand the one or more arms that forms the non-circular transverse profileof the post 142.

In the exemplified embodiment, the hub portion 171 and each of theprotuberances 172 extend the same height from the second transverseshoulder 144, measured in the direction of the stem axis B-B. Thus, thehub portion 171 has an upper terminal surface 174 and each of theprotuberances 172 has an upper terminal surface 175. The upper terminalsurfaces 174, 175 of the hub portion 171 and the protuberances 172collectively define the free end of the attachment portion 140 of thestem 120. The upper terminal surfaces 174, 175 of the hub portion 171and the protuberances 172 are aligned on a plane C-C that is orthogonalto the stem axis B-B. In the exemplified embodiment, the plane C-C isperpendicular to the stem axis B-B. Thus, in the exemplified embodimentthe protuberances 172 are exactly the same height as the hub portion 171in that both extend from the distal end 143 of the base portion 141 tothe free end of the attachment portion 140. Of course, this is notrequired in all embodiments and the protuberances 172 could be taller orshorter than the hub portion 171 in alternative embodiments.

As noted above, each of the protuberances 172 extends from the hubportion 171 to the side terminal surface 176 of the protuberance 172.The side terminal surface 176 of each of the protuberances 172 is spaceda first radial distance R1 from the stem axis B-B. Furthermore, theouter edge 177 of the second transverse shoulder 144 is spaced a secondradial distance R2 from the stem axis B-B. In the exemplifiedembodiment, the second radial distance R2 is greater than the firstradial distance R1. Thus, none of the protuberances 172 extend all theway to the outer edge 177 of the second transverse shoulder 144. Rather,in the exemplified embodiment a portion of the second transverseshoulder 144 extends between the side terminal surface 176 of each ofthe protuberances 172 and the outer edge 177 of the second transverseshoulder 144. Of course, in alternative embodiments the protuberances172 could extend all the way to the outer edge 177 of the secondtransverse shoulder 144 so that the first and second radial distancesR1, R2 are equal, or the protuberances 172 could extend beyond the outeredge 177 of the second transverse shoulder 144 so that first radialdistance R1 is greater than the second radial distance R2.

Referring to FIG. 9, as noted above the stem 120 houses the motor 160,the eccentric 161, and the coupling member 162 within the inner cavity122 of the stem 120. Furthermore, in the exemplified embodiment a shaft190 that supports the eccentric 161 is partially embedded within anupper portion of the stem 120. Specifically, the shaft 190 comprises afirst portion 191 that is embedded within the upper portion of the stem120 and a second portion 192 that protrudes from an upper wall 152 ofthe inner cavity 122 and extends into the inner cavity 122.Specifically, the first portion 191 of the shaft 190 extends into thehub portion 171 of the post 142 and the second portion 192 of the shaft190 extends into the inner cavity 122 of the stem 120 to support theeccentric 161.

The eccentric 161 is positioned within the cavity 122 so that it is indirect contact with the second portion 192 of the shaft 190. Thus, asthe eccentric 161 rotates, vibrations are transmitted from the eccentric161 to the shaft 190. Having the first portion 191 of the shaft 190extend into the hub portion 171 of the post 142 facilitates transmittingthe vibrations to the head portion 220 of the refill head 200. Portionsof the stem 120, and more specifically the post 142, may be in surfacecontact with the inner surface 213 of the sleeve portion 210 of therefill head 200 to ensure acceptable transmission of the vibrations fromthe eccentric 161 to the head portion 220.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6-8 concurrently, the refill head 200 will bedescribed in detail. The refill head 200 comprises the sleeve portion210 and the head portion 220 that is coupled to the sleeve portion 210.The sleeve and head portions 210, 220 may be integrally formed as asingle unitary structure. The sleeve and head portions 210, 220 maycomprise a base or body portion formed of a hard plastic material suchas polypropylene or the like and an elastomeric material may beovermolded onto the base or body portion. In the exemplified embodiment,the refill head 200 comprises the plurality of tooth cleaning elements215 that extend from a front surface 221 of the head portion 220 and asoft tissue cleaner 216 is located on a rear surface 222 of the headportion 220. The soft tissue cleaner 216 comprises a pad portion 295 anda plurality of protuberances or nubs 296 protruding from the pad portion295. The soft tissue cleaner 216 may be formed of a resilient materialsuch as a thermoplastic elastomer. Of course, the soft tissue cleaner216 could be omitted in some alternative embodiments.

The tooth cleaning elements 215 are illustrated on the head with aspecific arrangement and pattern. Specifically, the tooth cleaningelements 215 include a combination of filament bristles 217 andelastomeric cleaning elements 218 that collectively form a bristlefield. The elastomeric cleaning elements 218 may be formed integrallywith the soft tissue cleaner 216 when both of these elements areincluded, as they are in the exemplified embodiment.

In certain embodiments, the exact structure, pattern, orientation, andmaterial of the tooth cleaning elements 215 are not to be limiting ofthe present invention. Thus, the term “tooth cleaning elements” may beused herein in a generic sense to refer to any structure that can beused to clean, polish or wipe the teeth and/or soft oral tissue (e.g.tongue, cheek, gums, etc.) through relative surface contact. Commonexamples of “tooth cleaning elements” include, without limitation,bristle tufts, filament bristles, fiber bristles, nylon bristles, spiralbristles, rubber bristles, elastomeric protrusions, flexible polymerprotrusions, combinations thereof, and/or structures containing suchmaterials or combinations. Suitable elastomeric materials include anybiocompatible resilient material suitable for uses in an oral hygieneapparatus. To provide optimum comfort as well as cleaning benefits, theelastomeric material of the tooth or soft tissue engaging elements has ahardness property in the range of A8 to A25 Shore hardness. One suitableelastomeric material is styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene blockcopolymer (SEBS) manufactured by GLS Corporation. Nevertheless, SEBSmaterial from other manufacturers or other materials within and outsidethe noted hardness range could be used.

The tooth cleaning elements 215 of the present invention can beconnected to the head portion 220 in any manner known in the art. Forexample, staples/anchors, in-mold tufting (IMT) or anchor free tufting(AFT) could be used to mount the cleaning elements/tooth engagingelements. In certain embodiments, the invention can be practiced withvarious combinations of stapled, IMT or AFT bristles. In the exemplifiedembodiment, the filament bristles 217 are secured to the head portion220 using staples/anchors and the elastomeric cleaning elements 218 areintegrally formed with the soft tissue cleaner 216 through one or morepassageways 219 extending through the head portion 220 from the frontsurface 221 to the rear surface 222 thereof.

The sleeve portion 210 of the refill head 200 extends from a proximalend 211 to the head portion 220. Furthermore, the sleeve portion 210 ofthe refill head 200 comprises an outer surface 212 and an opposite innersurface 213, the inner surface 213 defining an internal cavity 214. Anopening 245 is formed into the proximal end 211 of the sleeve portion210 that forms a passageway into the internal cavity 214. The internalcavity 214 is sized and shaped to receive the attachment portion 140 ofthe stem 120 of the handle 100 when the refill head 200 is coupled tothe handle 100.

The internal cavity 214 of the sleeve portion 210 extends along a sleeveaxis D-D from an open bottom end 230 (formed by the opening 245) at theproximal end 211 of the sleeve portion 210 to a closed top end 231 thatis formed by an upper wall 229 of the sleeve portion 210. The innersurface 213 of the sleeve portion 210 comprises a sleeve shoulder 232that is axially spaced from the proximal end 211 of the sleeve portion210. The sleeve shoulder 232 faces the proximal end 211 of the sleeveportion 210.

The internal cavity 214 of the sleeve portion 210 comprises a proximalsection 233 adjacent to the open bottom end 230 of the internal cavity214 and a distal section 234 that is adjacent to the closed top end 231of the internal cavity 214. More specifically, the proximal section 233of the internal cavity 214 extends from the open bottom end 230 of theinternal cavity 214 to the sleeve shoulder 232 and the distal section234 of the internal cavity 214 extends from the sleeve shoulder 232 tothe closed top end 231 of the internal cavity 214 (i.e., to the upperwall 229 of the sleeve portion 210). The proximal section 233 of theinternal cavity 214 has a first axial length L1 measured in thedirection of the sleeve axis D-D and the distal section 234 of theinternal cavity 214 has a second axial length L2 measured in thedirection of the sleeve axis D-D. In the exemplified embodiment, thefirst axial length L1 is greater than the second axial length L2 (aratio of L1:L2 is between 2.0:1 and 3.0:1, more specifically 2.2:1 and2.8:1, and still more specifically 2.4:1 and 2.5:1, although theinvention should not be so limited in all embodiments). Furthermore, inthe exemplified embodiment the proximal section 233 of the internalcavity 214 tapers with distance from the proximal end 211 of the sleeveportion 210 towards the sleeve shoulder 232. Nonetheless, due to thesleeve shoulder 232 being the dividing line between the proximal anddistal sections 233, 234 of the internal cavity 214, the proximalsection 233 has a minimum diameter (or width measured transverse to thesleeve axis D-D) that is greater than a maximum diameter (or widthmeasured transverse to the sleeve axis D-D) of the distal section 234.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 7 and 8, the distal section 234 of theinternal cavity 214 will be further described. FIG. 8 illustrates across-section taken through the distal section 234 of the internalcavity 214 and it reveals that the distal section 234 of the internalcavity 214 comprises a central portion 235 located on the sleeve axisD-D and at least one slot portion 236 radially extending from thecentral portion 235. In the exemplified embodiment, there are three ofthe slot portions 236, although more or less than three slot portions236 may be included in other embodiments. The slot portions 236 arecircumferentially arranged about the central portion 235 in aspaced-apart manner from one another. In the exemplified embodiment thenumber of slot portions 236 matches the number of protuberances 172 ofthe post 142 of the attachment portion 140 of the stem 120, as describedmore fully below with reference to FIG. 10. Each of the slot portions236 has an open lower end formed into the sleeve shoulder 232 andterminates at an upper surface. Furthermore, in the exemplifiedembodiment each of the slot portions 236 of the distal section 234 ofthe internal cavity 214 comprises a substantially constant transversecross-sectional area.

The central portion 235 of the distal section 234 of the internal cavity214 is defined by a plurality of arcuate sidewalls 237. Adjacent ones ofthe arcuate sidewalls 237 are separated by one of the plurality of slotportions 236. Furthermore, each of the slot portions 236 is defined byfirst and second sidewalls 238, 239 that extend radially outward fromthe central portion 235 and terminate in an end wall surface 240. Thus,each of the first and second sidewalls 238, 239 extend from one of thearcuate sidewalls 237 to the end wall surface 240. In the exemplifiedembodiment, the central portion 235 is circular and the slot portions236 are rectangular, although the invention need not be limited to thesespecific shapes in all embodiments. As seen in FIG. 8, in theexemplified embodiment one of the slot portions 236 extends radially ina first direction from the sleeve axis D-D, and at least one of thetooth cleaning elements 215 extends from the head portion 220 in thefirst direction. Thus, one of the slot portions 236 extends in the samedirection as one or more of the tooth cleaning elements 215.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, cross-sections of the assembled oral careimplement 1000 are illustrated whereby the refill head 200 is coupled tothe stem 120 of the handle 100. As can be seen, the attachment portion140 of the stem 120 is located within the internal cavity 214 of therefill head 200 such that the post 142 is located within the distalsection 234 of the internal cavity 214. More specifically, the hubportion 171 of the post 142 is located within the central portion 235 ofthe distal section 234 of the internal cavity 214 and the protuberances172 of the post 142 are located within the slot portions 236 of thedistal section 234 of the internal cavity 214. In this particularembodiment, the exposed portions of the outer surface 173 of the hubportion 171 are in contact with the arcuate sidewall surfaces 237defining the central portion 235 of the distal section 234 of theinternal cavity 214 and the side terminal surfaces 176 of theprotuberances 172 are in contact with the end wall surfaces 240 of theslot portions 236 of the distal section 234 of the internal cavity 214.

Thus, in this embodiment there is a reasonably snug fit between the post142 and the distal section 234 of the internal cavity 214. This ensuresthat vibrations generated by the vibration generating device 199 aretransmitted to the refill head 200 so that they can benefit a userduring toothbrushing. Of course, minor gaps may be present for toleranceto ensure that the post 142 of the stem 120 can fit within the distalsection 234 of the internal cavity 214. However, such gaps when includedshould be quite small to ensure that vibrations are transmitted to thehead portion 220 of the refill head 200 as described herein.

FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 10 except inaccordance with an alternative embodiment. Specifically, in thisembodiment the post 142 has the exact same structure as previouslydescribed in that it comprises a hub portion 171 and a plurality ofprotuberances 172 protruding from the outer surface 173 of the hubportion 172. What is difference in this embodiment is theshape/configuration of the distal section 234 of the internal cavity 214of the sleeve portion 210 of the refill head 200. Specifically, thedistal section 234 of the internal cavity 214 in this embodiment doesnot include a central portion and slot portions extending radiallytherefrom. Rather, the distal section 234 of the internal cavity 214 isdefined by an inner surface 251 which in the exemplified embodiment is acontinuous, annular surface in the shape of a circle. Thus, there are nosidewalls and end wall surfaces, but rather a singular inner surface 251defines the entirety of the distal section 234 of the internal cavity214.

Thus, when fully assembled, the outer surface 173 of the hub portion 171of the post 142 is spaced apart from the inner surface 251 of the distalsection 234 of the internal cavity 214 of the sleeve portion 210 of therefill head 200 while the side terminal surfaces 176 of the protuberance172 of the post 142 are in surface contact with the inner surface 251 ofthe distal section 234 of the internal cavity 214 of the sleeve portion210 of the refill head 200. Thus, there are several air gaps 152 thatremain that are bounded by adjacent protuberances 172, a portion of theinner surface 251 of the internal cavity 214, and a portion of the outersurface 173 of the hub portion 171. Because there are threeprotuberances 172 in the exemplified embodiment, there are also threeair gaps 152, although more or less air gaps will be included based onthe number of protuberances 172.

Thus, in this embodiment there is conformal surface contact between theside terminal surfaces 176 of the protuberances 172 and the innersurface 251 of the internal cavity 214, but there is no surface contactbetween the outer surface 173 of the hub portion 171 and the innersurface 251 of the internal cavity 214. Vibrations generated by thevibration generating device 199 may still be transmitted through thepost 142 to the refill head 200 via the contact between theprotuberances 172 and the inner surface 251 of the internal cavity 214.

While the invention has been described with respect to specific examplesincluding presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variationsand permutations of the above described systems and techniques. It is tobe understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural andfunctional modifications may be made without departing from the scope ofthe present invention. Thus, the spirit and scope of the inventionshould be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An oral care implement handle comprising: agripping portion extending from a proximal end to a distal end; a stemcomprising an attachment portion protruding from a first transverseshoulder at the distal end of the gripping portion, the stem extendingalong a stem axis and configured to be detachably coupled to areplaceable oral care device, the attachment portion of the stemcomprising: a second transverse shoulder axially spaced from the firsttransverse shoulder; and a post protruding from the second transverseshoulder, the post terminating in a closed distal end that forms a freeend of the attachment portion of the stem, the post comprising a hubportion extending along the stem axis and at least one protuberanceprotruding (1) radially from a side surface of the hub portion; and (2)upward from the second transverse shoulder; and a vibration generatingdevice; wherein the at least one protuberance comprises a rib thatprotrudes radially from the side surface of the hub portion and upwardfrom the second transverse shoulder.
 2. The oral care implement handleaccording to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of the at least oneprotuberance, the plurality of protuberances circumferentially arrangedabout the hub portion in a spaced-apart manner from one another, whereinthe plurality of protuberances are arranged in a circumferentiallyequi-spaced manner from one another.
 3. The oral care implement handleaccording to claim 1 wherein the closed distal end of the post comprisesa depression located on the stem axis.
 4. The oral care implement handleaccording to claim 1 further comprising: the gripping portion comprisingan actuator on a front surface of the gripping portion for activatingand deactivating the vibration generating device; and the at least oneprotuberance and the actuator facing the same direction.
 5. The oralcare implement handle according to claim 1 wherein the at least oneprotuberance has an upper terminal surface and the hub portion has anupper terminal surface that collectively define the free end of theattachment portion of the stem and are located in a plane orthogonal tothe stem axis.
 6. The oral care implement handle according to claim 1further comprising the attachment portion of the stem comprising a baseportion protruding from the first transverse shoulder and terminating ina distal surface that forms the second transverse shoulder.
 7. The oralcare implement handle according to claim 6 wherein the base portioncomprises a locking feature configured to mate with a locking feature ofthe replaceable oral care device, the locking feature protruding from aside surface of the base portion.
 8. The oral care implement handleaccording to claim 6 wherein the base portion comprises one or morealignment protuberances protruding from a side surface of the baseportion.
 9. The oral care implement handle according to claim 1 whereinthe at least one protuberance has a side terminal surface spaced a firstradial distance from the stem axis and the second transverse shoulderhas an outer edge spaced a second radial distance from the stem axis,the second radial distance greater than the first radial distance. 10.The oral care implement handle according to claim 1 wherein thevibration generating device comprises a power source, a motor operablycoupled to the power source, and an eccentric weight operably coupled tothe motor; and wherein a portion of a shaft that supports the eccentricweight extends into the hub portion of the post.
 11. An oral careimplement comprising: the oral care implement handle according to claim1; and a replaceable oral care device coupled to the stem of the oralcare implement handle.
 12. The oral care implement according to claim 11wherein the replaceable oral care device comprises a sleeve portioncomprising an inner surface that defines an internal cavity, and whereinthe attachment portion of the stem is located within the internal cavityof the sleeve portion.
 13. The oral care implement according to claim 12wherein the at least one protuberance terminates in a side terminalsurface that is in surface contact with the inner surface of the sleeveportion of the replaceable oral care device.
 14. The oral care implementaccording to claim 13 wherein the side surface of the hub portion isspaced apart from the inner surface of the sleeve portion of thereplaceable oral care device such that a gap exists between the sidesurface of the hub portion and the inner surface of the sleeve portion.15. The oral care implement according to claim 12 wherein the sleeveportion of the replaceable oral care device extends from a proximal endto a distal end, the internal cavity comprising a proximal sectionadjacent the proximal end and a distal section adjacent the distal end,and wherein the distal section of the internal cavity comprises aprofile that is configured to receive the post of the attachment portionof the stem.
 16. The oral care implement according to claim 15 whereinthe distal section of the internal cavity of the replaceable oral caredevice comprises a central portion and at least one slot portionradially extending from the central portion, and wherein the hub portionof the post is located within the central portion of the internal cavityof the replaceable oral care device and the at least one protuberance ofthe post is located within the at least one slot portion of the internalcavity of the replaceable oral care device.
 17. An oral care implementhandle comprising: a gripping portion extending from a proximal end to adistal end; a stem comprising an attachment portion protruding from thedistal end of the gripping portion, the stem extending along a stem axisand configured to be detachably coupled to a replaceable oral caredevice, the attachment portion of the stem comprising a post terminatingin a closed distal end that forms a free end of the attachment portionof the stem, the closed distal end of the post having a non-circulartransverse profile, the post comprising a hub portion extending alongthe stem axis and at least one protuberance, the at least oneprotuberance comprising a rib that protrudes radially from a sidesurface of the hub portion and upward from a transverse shoulder of theattachment portion of the stem.
 18. The oral care implement handleaccording to claim 17 wherein the hub portion comprises a circularcentral region and the at least one rib extends radially outward fromthe circular central region.
 19. The oral care implement handleaccording to claim 17 wherein the hub portion comprises a circularcentral region and a plurality of the rib extend radially outward fromthe circular central region, the plurality of ribs circumferentiallyarranged about the circular central region in a spaced-apart manner fromone another.